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“Please, Faron, don’t shut me out. We have to overcome these differences if it’s going to work. But you need to tell me what’s happening.”

The quiet calm in Kendra’s voice drew his gaze to hers. “My family has found me a Tolong female. They plan for her to be my mate.”

Kendra’s mouth fell open, and she took several steps back, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Your mate? I had no idea you were involved with somebody.”

“I am not. I have never met this female. But I have seen some of her records, and she is genetically compatible. We will produce healthy offspring.”

“Will you now.” Kendra’s eyes tightened. “Of course, you’re back to that. The genetic compatibility bullshit, so you can have all the healthy kids you want.”

Faron’s forehead wrinkled. “I was surprised when I got the news.”

“I bet you were. So surprised you kept the information to yourself.”

“No, you misunderstand. I did not realize my family was coming here.”

“But you’re going to meet this female? If your family thinks she’s suitable, you will join with her?”

“I am not sure. It’s the right thing to do.” He reached for Kendra, but she shook her head and took another step back.

“No, I don’t think so.” Bright spots of color appeared on her cheeks. “You can do what you like. It’s not like we have anything special. We don’t care for each other.”

“Your actions suggest you care,” Faron said. “It’s understandable if you’re jealous.”

“Jealous! There’s no reason for me to be jealous. We don’t have anything. We’ve been on a couple of dates, and it was all for the cameras. This was about business. You see other people if you want to.”

“I need to see my family and discuss this with them.”

“I wouldn’t waste your time.” Kendra crossed her arms over her chest. “Besides, I’m going on a date with somebody else. You can do the same.”

Faron’s heart felt like it froze in his chest. “You are seeing other people?”

“Which is no concern of yours since you’re doing the exact same thing.”

His gaze went to the floor. Of course, Kendra would consider him not good enough. It came back to the same thing, his obvious weakness. Maybe she’d come here to tell him that the dance could never happen, and she’d met someone who was complete and would offer her everything he couldn’t.

Kendra huffed out a breath. “You see, we aren’t exclusive. We should stop messing each other around and get on with our lives. The lives we’re supposed to live.”

He swallowed slowly, a strange tightness in his throat he’d never felt before. “As you wish. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable by suggesting the courtship protocols. At the time, it felt right.”

“It doesn’t matter now. Let’s forget about this. You said yourself many times that we’re not right for each other. This goes to show you were right. We aren’t supposed to be together.”

“My family is trying to do the right thing.”

“I get it. Your family means a lot to you,” Kendra said. “I’m sure you’ll be extremely happy with this female they have chosen.”

The force of her rejection hit him as he led her to the door. “And I’m sure you will have a successful coupling with an appropriate male.”

“Sure. I plan to be blissfully happy.” Her gaze was on the floor.

Faron opened the door and waited for Kendra to leave. He didn’t think he could stand being in the same room with her anymore. How had he gotten things so wrong? A short time ago, he was excited about being with Kendra and declaring himself to her, showing her how right they were together. That felt like a tainted idea now. He should have known she was not serious about him and would have been looking for a more suitable mate. Now, she had found one, and so had he.

Kendra touched his arm. “I didn’t mean to snap. I was just surprised. It’s great news for you. You can sort things out with your family and have all those kids you’re supposed to have. I do like you. Maybe, if you’re still around after you match with this female, we can be friends.”

He shook her hand off his arm and stepped back into his room. He did not want her friendship. He wanted her body and soul, but she didn’t want that from him. “It is not important. You are not important. We can get on with the rest of our lives, knowing we almost made a huge mistake.”

He heard her suck in a breath. “A mistake. Of course, I think we’ve both made a lot of those.” She turned and walked away.

He knew he shouldn’t, but Faron watched her go. Kendra was out of his life. The joy, surprise, frustration, and amazement he felt every time they were together faded. He would never experience that again. She was lost to him. It was time to give up these nonsense ideas of love and passion with a human, re-join his family, and serve them in the most appropriate way he knew how.